JP3406348B2 - Waste ink tank for inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a waste ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly to a waste ink tank capable of treating waste ink in a short time and maintaining reliability of waste ink suction even when used for a long time. Concerning the structure of.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ink jet recording apparatus, recording is not performed for a long period of time, the recording head is not used, or it is installed in a low humidity environment for a long period of time. Higher viscosity. In this way, the ink with the increased degree of adhesion and the dust on the nozzle surface of the head
Occasionally, the ink ejection port of the recording head was clogged. In order to eliminate these inconveniences, the ink jet recording apparatus usually pressurizes and discharges these thickened ink from the inside of the ejection port of the recording head, or sucks the ink through a cap that covers and protects the ejection port of the recording head. A discharge recovery mechanism for removing the thickened ink is installed. Waste ink generated during the ejection recovery process is stored in a predetermined waste ink tank detachably attached to the inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a waste ink tank of a conventional ink jet recording apparatus. In the figure, an ink cartridge 22 containing four kinds of ink corresponding to color recording is provided with a corresponding recording head 23. To supply ink. Ink is sucked from the recording head 23 by a suction pump 25 provided in the ejection recovery device, and the sucked waste ink is collected in a waste ink pipe 26.
And is collected by the waste ink absorber provided in the waste ink tank 21. In such a replaceable waste ink tank 21, the waste ink tank 21 is replaced according to a predetermined amount of waste ink or consumption of the ink tank. Inside the waste ink tank 21, there are generally laminated paper provided according to the shape of the waste ink tank 21, a porous or fibrous absorber, a high-molecular absorptive polymer, etc. (for example, starch-based, acrylic acid, etc.). Grafted heavy compounds, polyacrylic acid chlorine polymers, vinyl alcohol chlorine acrylic acid polymers, PVA-based polymers, isobutylene-maleic anhydride-based polymers) are filled and the collected ink is absorbed and stabilized by utilizing the liquid absorbing power. Various waste ink recovery methods have been adopted. As the replaceable waste ink tank, there are a method in which the waste ink tank can be replaced independently and a method in which the cartridge and the waste ink tank are integrated.

FIG. 13 shows another conventional system in which the waste ink tank is replaced independently. In FIG. 13, the waste ink tank 30 filled with the waste ink absorber 31 is always
A pressing member 33 attached to the pressing spring 32 is pressed and fixed to the waste ink container fixing frame 34 by a spring force, and can be removed by moving the pressing member 32 against the spring force. It has become.

FIG. 14 shows another system in which a conventional cartridge and a waste ink tank are integrally housed.
In the figure, an ink cartridge 30 is shown that is integrally housed in a waste ink tank 43 so that an ink set 41 containing ink and a waste ink absorber 42 are stacked. In this system, the ink cartridge 30 may be replaced with the waste ink tank 43 at the same time as the waste ink tank 43 according to the consumption of the ink in the waste ink tank 43.

However, in all of the prior arts shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the waste ink must be diffused from the portion where the waste ink is adsorbed to the other portion in the vicinity of the opening of the waste ink tank. And because it does not adsorb the next waste ink,
It took time to absorb the waste ink. In the vicinity of the opening, waste ink is repeatedly absorbed, evaporated and dried to increase the density of the waste ink, and when the density is further increased, the ink dye is deposited and the absorption capacity of the waste ink deteriorates. Come on. As a result, even if the portion of the absorber located far away from the opening is unused, the absorption and diffusion ability becomes insufficient near the opening, and the function of absorbing waste ink cannot be achieved at all. There is. That is, even if the waste ink tank as a whole has a sufficient absorption capacity, the waste ink could not be collected and the waste ink might flow out to the outside.

In view of this point, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-227658 proposes a waste ink tank provided with a water absorbing member having a high ink adsorbing speed and a water retaining member having a high ink adsorbing and holding power in the waste ink tank. ing. In this waste ink tank, by dividing the function of the absorber into two parts, that is, a water-retaining member such as a laminated paper having a high ink adsorption / holding power and a water-absorbing member such as a blotting paper having a high ink adsorption speed, and functioning,
The above-mentioned problems were solved. However, similar problems occur when the evaporation and drying are repeated and the waste ink tank becomes large enough. This is especially true
If the waste ink tank is not a regular replacement part and is installed in the recording apparatus main body, it will remain as a problem.

Further, when only the waste ink tank is independently replaced, it is necessary to properly inform the user of the replacement time. Furthermore, in the case of a type in which the waste ink is installed in the main body of the recording apparatus, it is necessary to detect the state of the waste ink tank and restore the normal state when an abnormal state occurs.

[0009]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a waste ink tank that enhances the reliability and safety of waste ink storage by the waste ink tank.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides (1)
A tube having an ink absorber that absorbs the waste ink discharged from the recording unit and containing the waste ink, and a tube that communicates with the inside of the waste ink tank and opens at a plurality of longitudinal positions The body has a waste ink discharge tube for discharging the waste ink to a large number of places in the waste ink tank, and (2) the waste ink conduit discharged from the recording means in (1) above, The waste ink tank is branched, and the waste ink tank has a plurality of the waste ink discharge tubes; and (3) in (1), the waste ink tank is installed in the recording apparatus. It is a stationary type, and the waste ink discharge tube is
Those characterized that you to be mounted on the recording means recording heads are connected to the non-recording of the ink ejection, or directly to a discharge recovery mechanism for sucking. Hereinafter, description will be given based on examples of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining an example of a waste ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, in which 1 is a waste ink tank, 2 is an ink absorber,
3 is a waste ink discharge tube.

The waste ink tank 1 is a casing mounted below an ejection recovery mechanism (not shown) of an ink jet recording apparatus, and an ink absorber 2 is loaded inside the casing.
The ink absorber 2 is, for example, a felt material, a laminated paper, a polymer porous body, a water-absorbent resin, or the like having high water absorption, and these are used alone or in combination. In addition, these may be loaded in a plurality of pieces in accordance with the shape of the waste tank 1.

Inside the waste ink tank 1, a waste ink discharge tube 3 having a large number of openings 3b in the longitudinal direction,
Preferably, the waste ink tank 1 is wound so as to evenly pass through it. The waste ink discharge tube 3 is connected to a suction pump (not shown) for recovery of discharge to introduce waste ink. In FIG. 1, the waste ink discharge tube 3 is connected to the connection portion 3
1 shows an example of a replaceable waste tank 1 which has a and can be separated from the main body of the recorder, but in the case of a fixed type fixed to the recorder, there is no connecting portion 3a and a suction pump is used. Directly connected.

In FIG. 1, the waste ink discharge tube 3
Is laid around the inside of the waste ink tank 1 from the connection portion 3a to the side opposite to the connection portion 3a, but as shown in FIG. 1, the waste ink tube is formed of a single pipe body. Alternatively, a plurality of pipes may be combined and formed.

FIG. 2 shows a waste ink tank according to the present invention.
In a plan view for explaining another embodiment, the waste ink discharge tube 3 has, for example, waste ink discharge tubes 3-2, 3-3, and 3-having a plurality of openings 3b in the length direction.
4 are arranged in parallel in the waste ink tank 1, and one ends of these are connected so as to be branched from the connection pipe 3-1 communicating with the connection port 3a. Waste ink can be made to flow out evenly by selection.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are partially enlarged views for explaining the shape and arrangement of the opening of the waste ink discharge tube according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 (a) shows the opening 3b. This is the case where the shape is quadrangular and the openings are alternately opened on the side wall surface in the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 6B, the shape of the openings 3b is circular and the openings 3b are alternately and evenly opened on the tube wall surface in the longitudinal direction.

As described above, when the opening 3b has a large number of openings in the longitudinal direction, the ejection recovery mechanism operates, and when the ejection recovery process is executed, waste ink is generated at that time, and the waste ink is discharged through the waste ink discharge tube. The ink is absorbed by the ink absorber and collected, but if there is no opening 3b, the waste ink discharge tube 3
When a large amount of waste ink is ejected from the ink absorber 2, the time required for the ink absorber 2 to adsorb the waste ink is exceeded, and the processing cannot be completed. However, even in that case, according to the present invention, since the waste ink discharge tube 3 has the plurality of openings 3b in the longitudinal direction, the waste ink discharge tube 3 has the first opening 3b which is opened at the position closest to the connection port 3a. Even if the absorption of the absorber is delayed, the waste ink further flows out to the second, third, ... Opening portions 3b, and the ink is absorbed from the ink absorber 2 near the second, third, ... Absorption is done. In addition, if the waste ink is repeatedly absorbed and evaporated and dried due to long-term use, the absorption capacity deteriorates near the opening 3b.
In that case also, even if the absorption of the ink absorber 2 in the first opening 3b becomes impossible, the second, third, ...
Ink is absorbed near b.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view for explaining an embodiment of a fixed type waste ink tank according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an exploded view.
4 is a waste ink tank, 5 is an ink absorber, and 6 is a discharge tube.

Since the waste ink tank is constructed and arranged by utilizing the empty space of the recording apparatus, when the degree of freedom in designing the shape is small, the waste ink discharge tube of the conventional one has only one opening, When the shape of the tank is complicated, there is a problem that the waste ink cannot be collected before the waste ink absorption by the ink absorber in the waste ink tank is made effective to the inner part.

The waste ink tank according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 eliminates the problems of the above-mentioned conventional fixed type waste ink tank. The shape of the waste ink tank 4 is, for example,
It has a U-shaped planar shape. In the waste ink tank 4, a rectangular parallelepiped ink absorber 5 is divided according to the shape.
a, 5b and 5c are loaded. Ink absorber 5a,
5b and 5c each have a cutting groove 5 open to the upper end face.
d, 5e and 5f are provided, and the opening 6a is formed in the longitudinal direction.
The waste ink discharge tube 6 that opens is inserted. One end of the waste ink discharge tube 6 is connected to a suction pump for recovery of discharge from an opening 4a portion formed at one end of the waste ink tank 4.

The fixed type waste ink tank shown in the figure can be selected in any shape because it is installed in the recording apparatus using an empty space. Further, the waste ink discharge tube 6 and the plurality of openings 6b provided therein allow the ink absorber 5 to be effectively used up to every corner of the waste ink tank 4 having a complicated shape.
Can be operated. Further, at this time, the waste ink discharge tube 6 is directly communicated with the discharge recovery mechanism (not shown), and there is no relay part or connection part in the middle, so there is no risk of liquid leakage. At this time, the ink absorber 5 fits the waste ink tank 4 having a complicated shape,
It can be divided appropriately. Further, as shown in the figure, the ink absorber may be provided with cutting grooves 5d to 5f for holding the tube in accordance with the waste ink discharge tube.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the holding means for the ink absorber in FIG. 5, in which 7 is a lid and 8 is a holding member.

In FIG. 5, the waste ink discharge tube 6 is embedded in the cutting grooves 5d to 5f provided in the ink absorber 6, but in FIG. 6, it is attached to the lid 7 of the waste ink tank 4 along the shape. The U-shaped holding member 8 is elastically sandwiched and held by the open arms 8a.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view for explaining an example of a waste ink tank having a waste ink detecting means , FIG. 8 is a plan view, in which 9 is a waste ink detecting chamber and 10 is a waste ink detecting means. , 11 are lids, and parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

The waste ink tank shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has a waste ink amount detection chamber 9 provided therein, and the ink absorber 2 is loaded in the waste ink tank 1. A vacant chamber 2a for installing a waste ink amount detection chamber 9 for detecting the waste ink amount is opened in a part thereof. Ink absorber 2
In addition, the waste ink is absorbed and collected, but when the waste ink amount increases, it exceeds the amount that can be absorbed by the ink absorber 2 and eventually overflows. This overflow first occurs in the waste ink amount detection chamber 9. By providing the waste ink amount detection chamber 9, by detecting the waste ink that has flowed into the waste ink amount detection chamber 9, it is possible to know the recovery state of the waste ink in the waste ink tank.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the waste ink detecting means 10 comprises two electrodes 10 provided in the waste ink amount detecting chamber 9.
Although the detection is performed by the change of the electric resistance value or the change of the electric capacitance between a and 10b, only the detecting means 10 may be installed in the main body of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view for explaining another example of the waste ink tank having the waste ink detecting means , and FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the waste ink detecting portion, in which 2'is the overflowed ink. , 12 are grooves, and the parts having the same functions as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals as in FIG.

The detecting means shown in FIG.
Is installed in the main body of the recording apparatus, and the waste ink is detected by the detection electrodes 10c and 10d provided in the main body of the recording apparatus. Even if the waste ink tank 1 is replaceable, the waste ink tank 1 is replaced and discarded. At the same time, the detection means 10 does not have to be discarded at the same time, so that it is possible to select not only a low-cost and simple detection method in consideration of disposable, but also various methods. In addition, it is economical because it is not a discarded part.

When the waste ink tank 1 collects a sufficiently large amount of waste ink and the detection means 10 detects the ink that overflows and flows out, the waste ink may be discharged depending on the structure of the detection means such as the electrodes 10c and 10d. Contact the detection means directly. Even if it is left as it is and replaced with a new waste ink tank, there is a high possibility that the detection means malfunctions.
In order to eliminate such an erroneous operation, it is necessary to clean the detection means along with the attachment / detachment operation when the waste ink tank is replaced.

In the waste ink tank 1 shown in FIG. 9, the detecting means can be cleaned when the waste ink tank 1 is replaced. In FIG. 9, 11 is a lid of the waste ink tank 1 and 11 a is the lid 11.
Grooves 12 provided in the ink absorber 2 and the waste ink tank wall surface from the waste ink detection chamber 9 toward the recording apparatus main body side on which the detection means 10 is installed,
When pulling out the waste ink tank for replacement and when installing a new waste ink tank, the electrode 10
By replacing c and 10d through these grooves, the detection electrodes 10c and 10d are elastically pressed against the ink absorber 2 and moved, thereby performing cleaning.

As described above, the cleaning of the detecting means 10 is accompanied by the operation of exchanging the waste ink tank 1 for the absorber 2 also provided in the waste ink tank 1 for cleaning.
It is preferable to contact the detection means 10 so as to press it. Desirably, as shown in FIG. 7, when the waste ink tank 1 is replaced, the waste ink absorber 2 also functions as a cleaning absorber, which does not increase the number of parts and reduces the cost. It is optimal because it does not invite ups. Generally, about 80 to 95% of the water-soluble ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus is composed of water. Therefore, the absorbing function of the waste ink collected in the ink absorber 2 in the waste ink tank 1 can be sufficiently restored by evaporating the water content.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example in which waste ink is detected using a photo sensor.
11A is a perspective view when the waste ink detecting absorber is about to be inserted into the waste ink detecting chamber 9, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view after the waste ink detecting absorber is inserted. 10e is a waste ink detecting absorber and 10f is a photo sensor. As shown in the figure, the waste ink detecting absorber 10e is placed in the waste ink detecting chamber 9 and the photo sensor 10f is provided above it. The photo sensor 10f includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element (not shown), and the light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected by the waste ink detecting absorber 10e and the reflected light is received by the light receiving element. It is possible to know the ink absorption amount of the waste ink detecting absorber 10e from the signal.

That is, when waste ink flows into the waste ink detecting chamber 9, the color of the waste ink detecting absorber 10e changes and the amount of reflected light also changes.
It is possible to know the collection state of the waste ink in the waste ink tank by detecting the change in the light amount by f.

As described above, in the replaceable waste ink tank 1, the detection means 10 may replace the waste ink tank after detecting the excess amount of the waste ink collected. When the means 10 detects the recovery amount over, it is necessary to recover the function. If the detecting means 10 at this time is arranged at a plurality of positions, the recovery state is notified in multiple stages, and the operation for recovering the function is executed earlier, it is convenient because the recording operation is not interrupted. good. Further, by recovering the absorbing function in the replaceable waste ink tank 1 as well, safety against troubles such as ink leakage can be improved, and the waste ink tank 1 itself can be downsized. .

In the above description, the waste ink is the ink absorber 2
Although it was shown that the leakage can be safely prevented by absorbing it to the waste ink, it is possible to process the waste ink and recover the function by evaporating the water content of the ink. It can be performed by means and blowing means. As the heating means, it is possible to use a heater, an electromagnetic wave, or a heat source of a recording device. Also,
As the air blowing means, it is possible to use air that is generated by using the main scanning operation force of a fan or a recording device. By using these means alone or in combination, the absorption function can be restored by evaporating the water content of the collected waste ink in the operation after the detection by the detection means.

As the above-mentioned heating means, it is preferable to use the heat source of the recording apparatus as long as it can be effectively realized at low cost without using a special device. This is to use the heat generated by the electric circuit, transformer, motor, etc. necessary for operating the main body of the recording apparatus as a heating source. Usually, a heat sink is attached to these heat sources, or the mounting substrate itself functions as a heat sink. In order to positively use these as heating means, it is effective that at least a part of the casing of the waste ink tank 1 also serves as this heat dissipation plate.

Although the above description is of the type fixed to the main body of the apparatus, it can be applied to the type in which the waste ink tank 1 moves as the carriage scans without any trouble. Further, it is applied not only to a device that forms an image by scanning a carriage, but also to a device that is equipped with a full-line type recording head having an ejection opening over the entire width of the recording area of a recording material, as a waste ink tank. Is also possible.

Further, in an apparatus of the type that forms an image by carriage scanning, when it is mounted on the recording apparatus main body, it is possible to electrically connect to the recording apparatus main body and supply ink from the recording apparatus main body. , A replaceable chip-type recording head, or a cartridge-type recording head that is integrally provided on the recording head itself, or a cartridge-type recording head that also has an integrated waste ink tank mounted on a carriage The present invention is also effective for a recording head in which an ink tank and a waste ink tank that can be exchangeably mounted are integrated.

The structure of the recording head is such that an electrothermal converter or an electric mechanism displacement converter is used as an energy source for ejecting droplets, an electrostatic force is used, or pressurized ink is used to open or close a valve. The present invention is effective in that recording can be performed reliably and efficiently regardless of the form of the recording head, in addition to the one that is ejected by.

Further, the generation of waste ink and its treatment are as follows.
The present invention is effective for a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing unit, a suction unit for the recording head, a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection other than recording, and related operations and maintenance operations thereof.

[0041]

[Effect] As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. (1) Effect corresponding to claim 1: Even if the absorbing power of the ink absorber in the ink opening in the waste ink tank deteriorates, the ink absorber in the entire waste ink tank remains because the ink opening is in a plurality of places. Can be used effectively. For this reason,
Improves reliability during use. The ability to process large amounts of waste ink in a short time is improved. (2) Effect corresponding to claim 2: Furthermore, since the ink discharge tube can be arranged according to the shape of the waste ink tank, the waste ink can be absorbed more efficiently. (3) Effect corresponding to claim 3: Since the waste ink discharge tube is integrated so as to also serve as a continuous tube from the discharge recovery mechanism, there is no ink leakage at the relay point, and it is the same part. Cost reduction .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a waste ink tank for an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining another embodiment of the waste ink tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view for explaining another embodiment of the waste ink discharge tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view for explaining an embodiment of a fixed type waste ink tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an assembly view for explaining an embodiment of a fixed type waste ink tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of holding means for the ink absorber in FIG.

[7] of the waste ink tank having a waste ink detecting means
It is an exploded perspective view for explaining an example .

FIG. 8 is a plan view for explaining another example of a waste ink tank having a waste ink detecting unit .

FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view illustrating another example of a waste ink tank having a waste ink detection unit .

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a waste ink detector having a waste ink detector.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining still another example of the waste ink tank having the waste ink detecting means .

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional waste ink tank of an inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 13 shows a conventional method of independently replacing a waste ink tank.

FIG. 14 is a conventional system in which a cartridge and a waste ink tank are integrally housed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Waste ink tank, 2 ... Ink absorber, 3 ... Waste ink discharge tube, 4 ... Waste ink tank, 5 ... Ink absorber, 6 ... Discharge tube, 7 ... Lid, 8 ... Holding member, 9 ...
Waste ink detection chamber, 10 ... Waste ink detection means, 11 ... Lid.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-1-174460 (JP, A) JP-A-2-526 (JP, A) JP-A 57-12683 (JP, A) JP-A 61- 284444 (JP, A) JP-A-2-243353 (JP, A) JP-A-1-202454 (JP, A) JP-A-2-2013 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175 B41J 2/18 B41J 2/185

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A waste ink tank for accommodating waste ink discharged from a recording means, the waste ink tank containing the waste ink, and a waste ink tank communicating with the inside of the waste ink tank and opening at a plurality of longitudinal positions. A waste ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising a waste ink discharge tube which is a pipe body having an opening and allows waste ink to flow out to a large number of places in the waste ink tank. 2. The waste ink conduit discharged from the recording means is branched in a waste ink tank, and the waste ink tank has a plurality of the waste ink discharge tubes. A waste ink tank for an inkjet recording apparatus according to item 1. 3. The waste ink tank is a stationary type installed in a recording apparatus, and the waste ink discharge tube is attached to a recording unit and discharges or sucks non-recorded ink to a recording head. The waste ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, which is directly connected to the waste ink tank.